Seven down, 186 bridges to go

More than $2.2 million has been allocated to replace seven wooden bridges across Kyogle shire.

Mayor Danielle Mulholland says the council now has 186 bridges to go.

Under the second round of the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme, Kyogle Shire Council will receive $1,973,400 to replace six single-lane wooden bridges with dual-lane structures on Gradys Creek and Lions Road, and $228,000 to replace the single-lane Barretts Bridge at Old Bonalbo with a concrete and steel bridge.

‘We put in for seven bridges and we got them all. If that trend continues we’ll knock it over in no time,’ Cr Mulholland said.

Page MP Kevin Hogan said the injection of funds was a terrific outcome for the community.

‘This is a great way to kick off the New Year after I announced a $1 million Christmas present for Kyogle in December to reseal the road to Toonumbar Dam.’

‘I fought hard to ensure Kyogle got everything it applied for under Round 2 after I earlier secured $220,000 for replace Minneys Bridge under the first round,’ Mr Hogan said.

‘Round 3 will open soon and I will work with the council to make sure funding for wooden bridges continues.’

‘These new bridges will be an economic boom for Kyogle. Lions Road is a major tourism route for people visiting from Brisbane and is also the “first mile” for farmers trying to get their produce to consumers.’

Kyogle Council has 203 timber bridges, the majority of which were built in the 1940s and are failing at the same time.

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland travelled to Canberra in March last year to ask that the funding criteria for the Bridges Renewal Program be changed so that it might be eligible for funding.

The meeting was organized after all all six of its applications for funding in round one of the program were unsuccessful.